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The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale honored Coronado High School senior Dalia Jimenez as the 2014 Youth of the Year on March 22 at the 2014 Celebrate Youth Gala held at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess.

"It's an honor to represent not only my branch, but Scottsdale, the area I grew up in," said Jimenez, 18.

Jimenez is active in many organizations within the Hartley & Ruth Barker Branch of the Boys & Girls Club, where she is a 12-year member, said Alison Bailin Batz, spokeswoman for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale.

"I've been in the club since I was in first grade," Jimenez said. "It became my second home. They have helped me with my family and friends and all of the issues that teens go through. The staff gives really great advice. They have helped make me the girl I am today."

Jimenez volunteers her time at multiple community centers with her keystone group from the Boys & Girls Club, as well as the Cesar E. Chavez Leadership Institute's CARE program, where she prepared a shelter house for a family in need.

She has accumulated hundreds of community-service hours through her volunteer work, Bailin Batz said. She also helps with her family's business of selling produce at a swap meet on weekends and Wednesday nights, Jimenez said.

Jimenez said that when she does find free time, she likes to spend it at the Boys & Girls Club or with her family.

Jimenez plans to attend Barrett, the Honors College at Arizona State University in the fall, and plans to study mechanical engineering.

Jimenez said she wants to stay involved with multiple non-profit organizations over the summer and wants to use her experience from the Boys & Girls Club to help guide other young leaders in the community, Jimenez said.

Next, Jimenez will advance to the statewide Youth of the Year competition in April, Bailin Batz said.

Nine other Scottsdale teens were honored at the gala as individual clubs' Youth of the Year.